Soccer: Kingz still willing to show skill anywhere

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz have lost the two "home" games they have played "away" but coach Wynton Rufer is still keen to put the team on the road.

"It is a New Zealand team, not an Auckland team," said Rufer after the Kingz had lost 1-0 to Newcastle Breakers at Wellington's WestpacTrust Stadium on Saturday. They also lost 4-2 to Wollongong Wolves in Christchurch earlier in the season.

"I think we should keep looking at playing in places like Napier, Palmerston North and Christchurch. It was brilliant playing in front of about 8500 people in Wellington.

"Like everything, it [future venues] will be a business decision by the club. We had to play away for this game because of something else being on at North Harbour Stadium and it was great."

Great, that is, in everything but the result.

"The game wasn't very good," Rufer admitted. "They came here in third place looking for a point. They respected us because of our recent results but it is unfortunate we couldn't put away the chances we did create.

"We sorely missed Lee Jones [suspended]. He was our best player against South Melbourne. He will be back for our next game against Wollongong as should Robbie Middleby who missed the Newcastle game through injury."

The only goal came in the 65th minute when Mark Wilson provided the last touch to a loose ball in front of the Kingz goal. Substitute Mark Elrick and Ivan Vicelich - one of the better Kingz players - had the best chances for the Auckland-based side in a game of few chances but plenty of turnovers.

Rufer made it back from Europe in time for the match and was wellprepared after two training sessions with his former German club Werder Bremen.

"It was great to get out and train with them at a pace I haven't been used to," said Rufer. "It was easier for me to play after coming back this time. Last time when I was in Europe [in January] I could not train as the clubs were closed for winter."

Of coaching offers from the other side of the world, Rufer said there had been some "interesting developments" but his preference was to stay with the Kingz.

"I'm keeping my options open. If we plan now for the next season and some of the things we have discussed with Sky come off, I would certainly like to stay here."